Zantedeschia plant named ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Zantedeschia  cultivar named ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ is disclosed, characterized by yellow inflorescence, flowers occurring above the leaves and a short plant height. The new variety is commercially suitable for indoor plant production.

Latin name of the genus and species: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Variety denomination: ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The newvariety originated from a cross pollination, made by the inventor in2008, of a proprietary seed parent identified as ‘04453(scp.8534-9b)’and a proprietary pollen parent identified as ‘06330(apm.1198)’, bothZantedeschia sprengeri.

The new variety was discovered and selected by the inventor, AnthoniusSimon Johannes Kapiteijn, a citizen of the Netherlands, in June of 2010in a group of seedlings resulting from the crossing. The new cultivarwas found in a commercial greenhouse belonging to the inventor in AnnaPaulowna, the Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ was firstperformed by tissue culture at a commercial laboratory in theNetherlands in 2011. Tissue cultured plants were subsequently grown outto produce tubers. ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ has been reproduced by both tissueculture and tubers and has shown that the unique features of thiscultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ as a new and distinctZantedeschia cultivar:

-   -   1. Yellow inflorescence.    -   2. Flowers occurring above leaves.    -   3. Short plant height.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ are similar to plants of theseed parent variety, in most horticultural characteristics, however,plants of the new cultivar produce yellow inflorescence, whereas theseed parent produces an orange inflorescence.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent variety, in most horticultural characteristics, however,plants of the new cultivar produce yellow inflorescence, whereas thepollen parent produces an orange inflorescence.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ are similar to plants of theunpatented variety, Zantedeschia sprengeri ‘Golden Nugget’, unpatentedin most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the newcultivar are shorter in height, produce more flowers and a rounderinflorescence shape than ‘Golden Nugget’

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ are also similar to plants ofthe unpatented variety, Zantedeschia sprengeri ‘Serrada’, unpatented inmost horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivarare shorter in height, produce a darker yellow flower color and arounder inflorescence shape than ‘Serrada’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typicalplants of ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ grown in a greenhouse in Anna Paulowna, theNetherlands. The plants are approximately 2 year old, shown growing in14 cm pots. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ plants grown in a climatecontrolled greenhouse in Anna Paulowna, the Netherlands. Temperaturesranged from 18° C. to 22° C. day to 12° C. to 16° C. at night. Noartificial light or photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants.The following chemical treatments were used; GA 3 (Berelex) growthregulator. Before planting growth retardant (padobutrazol) at a dose of1 ppm. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’.

PROPAGATION

-   First propagation method: Tissue culture.-   Type of propagation typically used: Tuber division.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 10-30 days at approximately to    18-22 C.-   Root description: Moderately dense, moderately branched, slightly    fibrous, non-fleshy colored white; near RHS NN155C.-   Time to produce rooted plantlet: Approximately 10-30 days at    approximately 18 to 22° C.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright, clumping, shoots grow directly from base.-   Plant shape: Broad obovate.-   Height: Approximately 28.8 cm to top of highest leaf, Approximately    32.4 cm to top of highest inflorescence.-   Plant spread: Average: 32.4 cm.-   Normal pot size: 14 cm pots and larger.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: No branching, clump forming. Leaves    emerge directly from base of plant.-   Number of clumps per plant: Average: 8.-   Number of leaves per clump: Approximately 3.-   Number of leaves per plant: Approximately 24.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 24 months.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Equitant.        -   Average length (excluding petiole).—Approximately 15.9 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 9.4 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Ovate to broad ovate.        -   Aspect.—Leaves in an average angle of 45° (varying between            horizontal (=0°) and 90°).        -   Apex.—Acute with a mucronate tip.        -   Base.—Cordate.        -   Margin.—Entire, strongly undulate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, very slightly glossy.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous, very slightly glossy.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: A color between Green; 137B            and 143A but slightly darker, irregularly flecked with            transparent Green-white; near RHS 157C and 157D. Young            foliage under side: Green; near RHS 137C, irregularly            flecked transparent Green-white; near RHS 157C to 157D.            Mature foliage upper side: Green; near RHS N137C,            irregularly flecked transparent White; near RHS NN155C.            Mature foliage under side: Green; near RHS 137B, irregularly            flecked transparent White; near RHS NN155C.-   Venation:    -   -   Type.—Pinnate.        -   Venation coloration upper side.—Green; near RHS 137B.        -   Venation coloration under side.—Green; near RHS 143C.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 12.7 cm.        -   Width.—No geniculum visible, approximate width at distal end            of petiole: 0.6 cm. Proximal end Approximately 1.4 cm.        -   Color.—Green in between near RHS 143B and 143C, base            strongly tinged brown: near Brown RHS 200A to 200C.        -   Strength.—Moderate.-   Wing:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 6.9 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.1 cm.        -   Color.—Under (outer) side yellow-green; near RHS 144B to            144C, moderately tinged brown; near RHS 200B and 200C. Upper            (inner) side yellow-green; near RHS 147D.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Arrangement: Individual inflorescences grow from the centre of each    clump.-   Flowering habit: Once a year, from late spring into summer.-   Quantity of spathes per plant: On average: 12 fully open spathes in    good condition.-   Natural flowering season: Spring into summer.-   Time to flowering: Approximately 8 months from propagation.-   Fragrance: None.-   Self-cleaning or persistent: Persistent.-   Flower longevity: Flowers stay in good condition approximately 3    weeks on the plant.-   Spathe:    -   -   Aspect.—Upright, straight on top of peduncle.        -   Length.—Approximately 8.5 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 6.3 cm.        -   Shape.—Broad ovate to near orbicular, base folded around            spadix.        -   Margin.—Entire, revolute slightly undulate.        -   Apex.—Aristate.        -   Base.—Broad cuneate, circular (folded around spadix).        -   Color.—Front when opening: Yellow; near RHS 6A, base tinged            yellow-green; near RHS 150C and 150D. Back when opening:            Yellow; near RHS 9B, lower half tinged yellow-green; near            RHS 144B, tip green; near RHS 143A. Front when mature:            Yellow; near RHS 12A, base lighter; near RHS 8A, outer tip            green; near RHS 143A. Back when mature: Yellow; near RHS            12A, base tinged green; near RHS 143B to 143C, main vein and            tip green; near RHS 143A and 143B. Fading to: Front fading            yellow-orange; near RHS 14B, back fading yellow-green; near            RHS 144B.-   Spadix:    -   -   Shape.—Columnar.        -   Tip.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Length.—Approximately 4.4 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.        -   Color.—When opening: Lower 40% (female flowers)            yellow-green; near RHS 145C to 145D, upper 60% (male            flowers) yellow; near RHS 13A. Mature: Near RHS Lower 40%            (female flowers) yellow-green; near RHS 144C to 144D, upper            60% (male flowers) yellow-orange; near RHS 15A to 15B.        -   Quantity of flowers per spadix.—Approximately 35 female            flowers (consisting of a single style and ovary)            approximately 400 male flowers (consisting of anthers only).        -   Spadix flower arrangement.—Female flowers (consisting of a            single style and ovary) arranged at the base of the spadix            (lower 40%), male flowers (consisting of anthers only)            arranged above the female flowers (upper 60% of the spadix).        -   Spadix flower diameter.—Female flowers (consisting of a            single style and ovary) Approximately 0.35 cm, male flowers            (consisting of anthers only) approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Spadix flower depth.—Female flowers (consisting of a single            style and ovary) Approximately 0.2 cm, male flowers            (consisting of anthers only) approximately 0.75 cm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 19.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Color.—Green; near RHS 143C.        -   Strength.—Moderate.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   -   -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow-orange 15A to 15B.        -   Pollen color.—Near RHS White 155A.        -   Stigma color.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange. 11A.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-green 144C to 144D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease/pest resistance: Typical of Zantedeschia.-   Temperature tolerance: The new cultivar is a typical Zantedeschia,    tolerant of temperatures approximately 10° to 28° C.-   Fruit/seed production: Not observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Zantedeschia plantnamed ‘CAPTAIN SOLO’ as herein illustrated and described.